One of the biggest questions that I get asked by church leaders is: How do I raise up leaders in my church?
The answer is not a complex one. However many of these same leaders who ask me this question, are paranoid that the people they appoint- to leadership, will be better than they are.
I need to point out that the best Chief Execs in the world are not good at everything. They employ people who are better than they are - at certain things - to make them and their companies look good.
The process is simple and encompasses three areas:
1) Identification
2) Investing
3) Entrusting
1) Identifying your Leaders.
Look for the following attributes; Look for those who influence people. Some have suggested that this can start in Kinder garden by looking for the child who gets everybody in the playground doing what they want to do. I am not suggesting that church leaders look to their Sunday School classes to identify the next assistant pastor, but the ability to influence others is essential. Look for character, a person who is stable, humble is teachable and has integrity, is the person you want. The local Gang leader probably doesn't fit into this category. People skills are another area that needs to be identified. People who understand that people are important and are able to empathise with others make good leaders. Look for someone who is passionate about stuff, who has energy and drive. It doesn't matter if they are passionate about something outside the church, like motorbikes or rock climbing. The fact that they are passionate about it means that they can often times be passionate about leading people. Lastly look for emotional intelligence, not just academic excellence though that does sometimes help, but life experience. look for the person who is willing to learn and grow.
2) Investing in your Leaders.
In some ways Leadership can be taught in the classroom, the tools and mechanics of leadership are taught here. But the process and potential is outworked by you spending time with them and letting them have access to you. Take them away on ministry trips with you, take them to ministerial meetings with you. Let them watch you in action in different situations. Conferences are not always the answer. The loud music and the guest speakers are there to recharge the attendees, not to impart leadership skills.
3) Entrust your Leaders.
Your up and coming leaders can't live in your shadow forever, you need to entrust them with leadership, the process that Jesus used was: "I do, You watch, You do I watch, You do." The young potential leaders have watched you, now it is time for you to watch them at work, before they are allowed to do it on their own. It is time to start the apron cutting process. Will they get it wrong sometimes? most probably. But they are learning just the way you did.
It is time for church leaders to raise up the NEXT GENERATION.
The answer is not a complex one. However many of these same leaders who ask me this question, are paranoid that the people they appoint- to leadership, will be better than they are.
I need to point out that the best Chief Execs in the world are not good at everything. They employ people who are better than they are - at certain things - to make them and their companies look good.
The process is simple and encompasses three areas:
1) Identification
2) Investing
3) Entrusting
1) Identifying your Leaders.
Look for the following attributes; Look for those who influence people. Some have suggested that this can start in Kinder garden by looking for the child who gets everybody in the playground doing what they want to do. I am not suggesting that church leaders look to their Sunday School classes to identify the next assistant pastor, but the ability to influence others is essential. Look for character, a person who is stable, humble is teachable and has integrity, is the person you want. The local Gang leader probably doesn't fit into this category. People skills are another area that needs to be identified. People who understand that people are important and are able to empathise with others make good leaders. Look for someone who is passionate about stuff, who has energy and drive. It doesn't matter if they are passionate about something outside the church, like motorbikes or rock climbing. The fact that they are passionate about it means that they can often times be passionate about leading people. Lastly look for emotional intelligence, not just academic excellence though that does sometimes help, but life experience. look for the person who is willing to learn and grow.
2) Investing in your Leaders.
In some ways Leadership can be taught in the classroom, the tools and mechanics of leadership are taught here. But the process and potential is outworked by you spending time with them and letting them have access to you. Take them away on ministry trips with you, take them to ministerial meetings with you. Let them watch you in action in different situations. Conferences are not always the answer. The loud music and the guest speakers are there to recharge the attendees, not to impart leadership skills.
3) Entrust your Leaders.
Your up and coming leaders can't live in your shadow forever, you need to entrust them with leadership, the process that Jesus used was: "I do, You watch, You do I watch, You do." The young potential leaders have watched you, now it is time for you to watch them at work, before they are allowed to do it on their own. It is time to start the apron cutting process. Will they get it wrong sometimes? most probably. But they are learning just the way you did.
It is time for church leaders to raise up the NEXT GENERATION.
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